Many thanks, @Phoenikia !
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Some non-white-tablecloth suggestions to add:
Grey Gardens in Kensington Market http://greygardens.ca and the previously-mentioned Richmond Station downtown are very good for seasonal cuisine. They are also both very good at accommodating solo diners.
Hanoi 3 Seasons for Vietnamese specialties like Cha Ca or Bun Bo Hue.
https://hanoi3seasons.com
The Toronto area is perhaps most celebrated for its Cantonese cuisine, the best of which you will need to take a long-ish cab ride to get to (Richmond Hill and Markham). You can check Charles Yu’s recent postings to this Hungry Onion board for ideas.
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Agree that you are ‘mostly’ in a wilderness area, although if you’re comfortable with public transit, the ‘Spadina Streetcar’ will take you to the centre of the ‘original’ Chinatown which is now swamped with Vietnamese & Thai places. Traffic downtown is horrendous – the streetcar has a ‘right of way’ so is faster.
For Korean, my current favourite is Orote (maybe a 5-minute walk (west) from Long & McQuaid – entrance on Havelock St which intersects with Bloor). It’s ‘westernized’ Korean but excellent food (and service). Leans a bit towards Japanese – but you’ve included that as an option as well.
I don’t think some of the responders took into account your “no…. white tablecloth” condition. While not commenting on the quality, I suggest you avoid Don Antonio, Alo, Alobar, Kiin (doesn’t take single diners), Harbor 60 or Bannock (closed/rebranded)). I would have supported Aloette (and still do – at the South end of the Spadina Chinatown albeit NOT Asian food).
Thai, in general, is fairly reliable downtown – the issue is whether you’ll need to queue. The popular places don’t necessarily take reservations, One popular choice has been Nana. Pai also gets some love but only the Downtown (Duncan St) location. The other one is “not worth a visit”.
Little Sister is also good for a lighter meal (Indonesian). More upscale and possibly unusual is the Philippine cuisine at Mineral (just steps from the Rosedale subway station).
Can’t help with desserts!
IMO the only truly ‘Canadian’ place in Toronto is Actinolite. But it’s fully booked and now only does tasting menus. Peameal (actually cornmeal) bacon at St Lawrence market is as ‘Toronto’ as it gets – Toronto didn’t get its nickname of ‘Hogtown’ without reason.
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I think Pearl (at Harbourfront) , Dynasty (Yorkville), or Mimi’s (Annex $$$$),Lai Wah Heen (downtown), Kwan (midtown) will suffice for upscale Cantonese food while in downtown Toronto for a business trip, rather than encouraging a business traveller to spend $100 for the round trip to the burbs and spend an hour or 2 in traffic.
Dailo for Modern Chinese,
Sunny’s in Kensington (same people as Mimi’s)
Chop Chop on Dundas West for new interesting mid-level Chinese.
Alma for chef-driven modern Chinese (Alma is near Bloorcourt, it is on Bloor west of Dufferin)
New Sky/ Rol San /Swatow for old school Chinatown. Patois for trendy Caribbean -Chinese hybrid.
I used to drive to Markham or Richmond Hill a couple times a month when I lived near Wilson Ave.
Since moving to the Annex 7 years ago, I haven’t driven up to the burbs once for Chinese food. I’ve been to Scarborough once to meet some Chowhounds at Ding Tai Fung.
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Second Little Sister for Dutch Indonesian. The location on Portland would be convenient to downtown.
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I just ordered at rustle and still. Super excited and starving (up since 6 AM)!
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So happy you enjoyed it!!
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Personally like Sunny’s Chinese and Mimi. Hard to get in but worth it. R&D on Spadina is also worth a visit
Definitely get away from the waterfront area…not known for great/interesting food.
For unique and unbelievably tasty modern Asian, I highly recommend Dailo https://dailoto.com/ on College Street. Easy to get to from Harbourfront (not far from Chinatown on Spadina). And right next door is Bar Raval, one of the most unique Spanish tapas spots I’ve ever seen. Worth it to walk in to see the interior, even if you don’t stay (though dare you!) https://www.thisisbarraval.com/.
After Dailo, you can walk two blocks to Bar Pompette cocktail bar and sit at the bar. Sister to Pompette (run by a few ex-Michelen-rated youngsters from France). Both are excellent.
https://www.pompette.ca/
If you have time during the day, lunch or brunch at Clay (in the Gardiner museum) is a stunning, but understated spot (with a view) with a focus on local food. https://www.clay.restaurant
And if you need/want another music shop, check out https://www.stevesmusic.com/en/home
Enjoy!
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Bar Raval also has a winterized patio, which is nice.
I believe Bar Raval currently opens at 11 am daily.
They used to open up at 8 am.
I dislike crowds, and Bar Raval’s inside dining is cramped/cozy, and their patio has been packed in the evenings for the past 3 years , so I save my visits for mid-day on weekdays.
When they first opened, they opened at 8 am, and it was one of my favourite places to go for breakfast tapas. They switched to the 11 am opening time around 2018 or 2019.
Agree Pompette and Bar Pompette are excellent.
Mixed feelings about Clay. It’s okay.
Stopped at Soma chocolate today for a few truffles. Unique choices and all were excellent. Especially liked the hazelnut and the pistachio.
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Also had a butter tart today. First time! It was nice but I didn’t feel the need for more than two bites.
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Yeah SOMA is really good I enjoy their spicy Mayan chocolate shot. Also worth a mention are their gelato offerings up their with the best imo
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Headed to Arisu for dinner 
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Just finished here at Arisu. Came with someone with similar tastes, so it was a very pleasant ordering experience.
We had a bunch of short rib, and she wanted some bulgogi as well. Then we were still hungry so we ordered more short rib and a piece of Waygu. The difference was pretty amazing, texture wise. All the beef was good, though, and we liked the banchan too. Lovely staff, very attentive.
Very nice evening!
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I just realized how close I live to that restaurant… and i have never tried it!
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I’m on my way back out to the airport and wanted to thank everyone for the kind and thoughtful recommendations!
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So glad you enjoyed some of what TO has to offer!
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